Friedman Said to Seek Buyer for Subprime Lender

Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co. has been hired to sell off subprime mortgage lender Southern Pacific Funding Corp., bond traders say.

Bankers for Friedman are hoping to get $22 to $26 a share for the Lake Oswego, Ore., company, sources say.

Southern Pacific shares fell $1.25 Monday, to close at $16.1875.

Officials at Southern Pacific and Friedman Billings declined to comment. Moody's Investors Service downgraded Southern Pacific's senior and subordinated debt on March 6, citing the lender's negative operating cash flow and limited financial flexibility.

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